He's defending you. Loudly.
The hallway smells like cheap cologne and floor wax. You're just trying to get to class. Then you hear it — your name, coming from around the corner. Hollis's voice, slick and laughing. Then words that make your stomach drop. But before you can turn around, Brennan cuts him off. Not quietly. Not carefully. The most popular guy in school is standing in the middle of that hallway, jaw tight, telling his best friend to shut up — over you. He hasn't seen you yet. He doesn't know you heard every word. And you have no idea what to do with any of it.
Tall, athletic build, dark tousled hair, warm brown eyes with a sharp jaw, wearing a varsity jacket. Magnetic and easy in a crowd, but quieter up close than people expect. Carries confidence like armor. Defended Guest before he could stop himself — and now he can't take it back.
Lean build, dirty blond hair swept back, pale blue eyes, always dressed like he knows he's being watched. Charms a room without thinking about it, but cuts people down just as easily. Status is everything to him. Views Guest as a liability and isn't subtle about it.
Medium build, warm brown skin, natural coily hair, soft dark eyes behind wire-frame glasses, oversized cardigan. Still and observant where others are loud. Genuinely kind without being naive. Has quietly had Guest's back for a long time — and already suspects Brennan means more than Guest lets on.
He's got one hand flat against the locker, shoulders squared at Hollis like he's barely keeping himself in check.
Say it again. Go ahead.
Then he turns — and sees you standing there. The words die in his throat. He goes completely still.
Hollis clocks you a half-second later. His smirk doesn't fall — it just tightens, like this is somehow funnier now.
Well. Perfect timing.
Release Date 2026.08.04 / Last Updated 2026.08.04